Since Terence Crutcher was gunned down by a police officer in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday, nearly 5,000 people have made donations for his memorial services through a GoFundMe campaign.
The goal of the GoFundMe, created on Wednesday by legal clerk Adner Marcelin on behalf of Cruther’s immediate family, is to raise $175,000 to help the family provide for Crutcher’s four kids “as they deal with the tragic loss of their father, and continue to fight for justice.”
In less than 24 hours, they have raised more than $120,000.
Crutcher, 40, was on his way home from class at Tulsa Community College when his car stalled on the road. Officers, who were responding to an unrelated call, stopped when they saw Crutcher’s vehicle.
Shortly after the cops arrived, Officer Tyler Turnbough deployed a stun gun on Crutcher, who was unarmed, while he stood by his car. Officer Betty Shelby then fatally shot Crutcher.
The police department said that he refused to put his hands up when officers ordered him to, but a disturbing dashcam video shows Crutcher with his hands up before he died. In a second video captured by a helicopter above, one cop can be heard calling Crutcher a “bad dude.”
Crutcher’s twin sister later responded by telling reporters,“That big ‘bad dude’ ― his life mattered” and demanding a stop to police brutality.
The family is currently seeking criminal charges for Shelby. The family’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump, said that police had no justification for shooting Crutcher.
Marcelin wrote on the GoFundMe page that none of the proceeds will be dedicated to legal fees. All of the money will be transferred directly to Crutcher’s twin sister, Tiffany, for the benefit of her family.
Click here for more information on how to donate.
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